play a role

Hi native speakers,
Is it correct to say:
Tom Cruises played a talented man in the film Forest Gump. OR
Tom Cruises played Forest Gump in the film Forest Gump.

Many thanks
peter

Neither is correct, since Tom Cruise did not appear in Forrest Gump.

Perhaps you could say "Tom Hanks played an unusually talented man in Forrest Gump." ;-)

Hi there,
thanks a lot.
So can i say:

Tom Hanks played Forest Gump in the film 'Forest Gump' OR
Tom Hanks acted as Forest Gump in the film 'Forest Gump'.

Which one is correct?

Peter

So as not to be too repetitive, you would say "Tom Hanks played the title character in the film Forrest Gump." or "Tom Hanks played the lead role in the film Forrest Gump."